Breathing apparatus



NGV. 30, 1954 P. R. NoURsE Erm. 2,695,609

' BREATHING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 28, 1952 y /f Z2@ Pff/UP e. Noyes@ INVENTORS BY 7A ffm/aww BREATHING APPARATUS Philip R. Noorse, Los Angeles, and VRobert Kimes, Culver` City, Calif., assignors to The GarrettCorporatomLos Angeles, Calif., a corporation` of"California Application January 28, 1952, Serial No. 268,516

17 Claims. (Cl. 128-142) This invention relates toapparatus for. regulating. the delivery of a breathable gas.

This invention has particular utilityin sport, emergency and construction diving, and it will be described; in re.- lation to such submarineuses. It will be understood, however, that the device may be used in` connection with `breathing at highaltitudes and/ or in la contaminated atmosphere. It also may be employed in1the` thera. peutic administration of oxygen or breathing mixtures.

When diving in depths up toapproximately 300feet, and whenever a diver intends tospend. a` period-of time under water, it is necessary that a supply of: air be provided for him in a reliable and comfortable manner. The apparatus used to regulate theair=.rnust be simple and rugged in construction, and it should present `low resistance to breathing in order` to prevent excessiveV fatigue. In the instant deviceairris supplied.` from a high pressure source and is suitably controlledl so that? it reaches the diver at a reducedpressure, determined andgoverned by` the pressure of the ambient fluid medium.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an improved'regulating device which ris `.adapted to supply a breathable gas or gaseous mixture to an individual at a pressure commensurate with.A the pressure of the surrounding fluid medium.

Another object of the invention is to` provide. an improved arrangement ofv parts `in a regulating apparatus so that the regulator will be fail-safe in its` construction and mode of operation.

A further object ofl the invention is to provide a novel regulating apparatus thatf is compact, and that can, if desired, beof very light weight: and which contains few` parts, thus to constitute a` relatively inex-` pensive unit giving adequate and positiveucontrolof the delivery of a breathable gas.`

A further object of the inventionis to providea novel regulating apparatus having a single` chamber positioned in a single conduit `for the delivery of at breathable gas to an individual;

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novelinlet valve actuating mechanism, operable `in response `to respiration-induced changes in thelpressure Vin achamber housing said valve, and of-such construe. tion as to reduce breathing fatigue to aminimum.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a.

regulating apparatus, a novel flexible. diaphragm and. exL l halation valve structure. k

Other and further important objects of theA invention? willbecome apparent in thefollowing description and appended claims, and in the` accompanying-1drawing, wherein:

Fig. l is a transverse view of lthe regulating apparatus, partially in section and shown` connected` to.l a storagev cylinder and a breathing mouthpiece;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section `taken as indicated by the. line2-2 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectionalview of an inlet` valve.

Referring primarily to Fig. l, the regulator. is` indicatedgenerally at Aand includes falbody 11f andacap 12. A flexible diaphragm 13 is-secured between the bodyf andthe cap by means of` spaced screws 14 andprovides` a1movable wall at one side of a chamber 15 formed theA body.

The.` regulator is shownas mounted ontandtsecured` to afcylinder 16, said cylinder having astandardshut-ol.

2,695,609 Patented Nov. 310, 1954 formed on the body 11 andextends into the. chamber 15. A set screw 27, threadablyy received at the side4 of the boss 26, engages the threads `of` the nipple` 2li.- A counterbore 2S is provided in the upper end of. the nipple and receives: an insert 29, said insert being pro* vided with anoriice 30, Fig. 3, which communicates with an enlarged bore 31 of substantially the` same4 diameter of the bore 22;

The body 11 is further providedwith raised pedestals 32 which extend into the chamber;` 15and have peripheralt notches 33 which receive an'annular'plate 34, said plate.

being secured to the pedestals 32 by means of screws 35. The plate 34 has acentral` opening 36 which slidably receives a valve stem 37, of.` an inlet valve, indicated generally at 38. The stem 37 is provided, at its lower` end, with an enlargement 39 which carries `a `cone-shaped end 40, of nylon or other suitable` material, whichnis` adapted to` co-act with the orifice Stifin the insert 29.

The upper end of the valve stem 37 is provided with.`

a washer 41, of greater diameter than the stem, whichA is secured thereon by means of ascrew 412v threadably re;

ceived` in the end of the stem. A compression spring43 t isv positionedabout the stemand co-.acts with the plate 34 and the` enlargement 39` to urgethe valve38 in` a closing direction.

The diaphragm 13 is provided with upper and: lower` plates 44y and 45 which are secured thereto asrbyrivets 46.v The lower plate 45 is adapted to be engaged` by three` spaced, actuating lingers 4 7, the lower ends of which are received in notches 48 in an annular rim 49,

formed integrally with the plate 34 and surrounding theupperv portion of` the valve stem, 37` and the washery 41. The ngers 47 have their ends 50` bent back, the ends of the bent back portions being adapted to. engage the inner surface of the rim 49 adjacent the notches48,

so `thatthe lingers 47 may be inserted beneaththewasher 41 and .pivotally positioned in the notches 48` to be thereby retained therein. The lingers 47 are suitably curved as at 51 to provide a smooth, low friction engagement with the plate 45 of the diaphragm. ItA is to be noted that the arrangement of the valve actuatingmechanism, comprising ,the iingers 47, diaphragm plate 45 and washer 41, is such that it provides a large mechanical advantage for opening the valve 38, and engagement of the'fingers with the diaphragm at points adjacent the outer periphery thereof also insures a stable movement of the diaphragm, preventing tipping thereof and enabling the use` of a light spring 42 to thus reduce breathing `fatigue to a minimum.

To vprovide a zero diierential of hydrostatic head over exhalation pressure, a llexible exhalation valveindicated generally at 5 2 is provided directly on and in the approximate center of the diaphragm 13. Theexhalation valve 52 includes a flexible valve member 53 having a raised central portion-54, the member 53 being secured to the diaphragm 13 by means of a rivet 55 or any other suitable attachment means. to normally occlude a plurality of apertures 56, through the plates 44 and 45 and the diaphragm 13, arranged in spaced radial relationship about the rivet 55. To

the valve memberV 51. The cap 12"is further provided` with spaced radial openings 58 for the admission ofA the ambient fluid medium (the atmosphere, or water) into the interior of the cap. The pressure of the` amf bient lluid medium will therefore act against the outer surface of the diaphragm 13 and the valve member 53.

The body 11 is provided with a fitting 5'9 which contains a passage 60 communicatingy between the chamber l 15 and a liexible hose 61 for thedelivery of theregulated breathable gas from the valve 10 to a person;` The hose 61 is clamped to the fitting 59, as at 62 and The member 53` is adapted' 3 extends to an elbow 63 which supports a resilient mouthpiece 64, the mouthpiece being adapted to iit behind the lips of the individual and to be retained there by clamping the teeth against resilient protuberances 65.

In use, the cylinder 16, charged to a pressure of approximately 2200 p. s. i., is usually strapped to the back of the individual. In order that there be no differential between the pneumatic pressure in the chamber and the pressure in the lungs of the individual, the cylinder 16 is preferably so-disposed that the regulator 10 is located at a position approximating the level of the lungs. After opening the valve 17 and placing the mouthpiece 64 in the mouth, breathing of the compressed gas may be started. Upon submersion, hydrostatic pressure will be immediately admitted through the regulator openings 58 and against the diaphragm 13, to cause it to move inwardly toward the chamber 15, depressing the actuating ngers 47, raising the valve stem 37 from its seat in the insert 29, and permitting the flow of the breathable gas through the passages 21, 22, bore 31 and orice 30 and into the chamber l5. This ow into the chamber 15 continues until the pres sure of the gas Within the chamber 15 overcomes the hydrostatic pressure acting on the opposite side of the diaphragm 13, whereupon the diaphragm will be moved olutwardly from the chamber 15 and the valve 38 will c ose.

Upon inhalation, gas pressure Within the chamber 15 Will be reduced, causing the diaphragm 13 to move toward the chamber 15, opening the valve 3S and admitting additional gas from the cylinder 16. It is to be noted that inasmuch as the pressure within the chamber 15 is governed by the pressure of the ambient fluid medium acting on the outer side of the diaphragm, the breathable gas delivered to the individual will be maintained at a pressure equaling that of the external pressure acting on him, regardless of the depth of submersion.

Uponexhalation, the pressure within the chamber 15 will be increased above the ambient hydrostatic pressure, thus forcing the diaphragm 13 outwardly until the boss 57 is contacted by the portion 54 of the flexible valve member 53, whereupon the valve member 53 will be peripherally flexed away from its occlusion of the apertures 56, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. l, to permit a flow of exhalation products from the chamber 15 through the apertures 56 and out into the surrounding fluid medium through the openings 58. The inhalationexhalation cycle may then be repeated until the compressed gas in the cylinder 16 is expended.

It will be noted that if, for any reason such as, for example, the breakage of the compression spring 42 about the Valve stem 37, the valve 38 should remain open, the regulator will fail-safe due to the relative sizes of the orice 30 and the exhaust apertures 56, their size ratio being such that the pressure in the chamber 15 will be maintained at a breathable level even though the llow from the pressure source will be continuous.

Having thus described the invention and the present improvement thereof, it is desired to emphasize the fact that many modifications may be resorted to in a manner limited only by a just interpretation of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A breathable gas regulating apparatus comprising: a source of breathable gas; conduit means for conducting said gas to a point of use; a regulator positioned in said conduit means, said regulator having a chamber and a respiration responsive diaphragm forming a movable wall thereof, one side of said diaphragm being exposed to chamber pressure, the other side of said diaphragm being exposed to the pressure of a surrounding fluid medium; a normally closed exhalation valve carried by said diaphragm; and a breathable gas inlet valve operably associated with said diaphragm whereby said inlet valve will be opened in response to an inhalation produced reduction in chamber pressure below the pressure of said fluid medium.

2. A breathable gas regulating apparatus comprising: a source of compressed breathable gas; conduit means for conducting the gas to a point of use; a regulator positioned in said conduit means, said regulator having a chamber and a respiration responsive diaphragm forming a movable wall thereof, one side of said diaphragm being exposed to chamber pressure, the other side of said diaphragm being exposed to the pressure of a surrounding luid medium; a normally closed exhalation'V valve carried by and positioned at the approximate center of area of said diaphragm; and a breathable gas inlet valve operably associated with said diaphragm whereby said inlet valve will be opened in response to an inhalation produced reduction in chamber pressure below the pressure of said fluid medium.

3. A breathable gas regulating apparatus comprising: a source of compressed breathable gas; conduit means for conducting said gas to a point of use; a regulator positioned in said conduit means, said regulator having a chamber and a respiration responsive diaphragm forming a movable wall thereof, one side of said diaphragm being exposed to chamber pressure, the other side of said diaphragm being exposed to the pressure of a surrounding iluid medium; a normally closed exhalation valve carried by said diaphragm; a breathable gas inlet valve positioned in said chamber; and lever means operably connecting said diaphragm and said inlet valve whereby said inlet valve will be opened in response to an inhalation produced reduction in chamber pressure belowthe pressure of said fluid medium.

4. A breathable gas regulating apparatus comprising; a source of compressed breathable gas; conduit means for conducting said gas to a point of use; a regulator positioned in said conduit means, said regulator having a chamber and a respiration responsive diaphragm forming a movable wall thereof, one side of said diaphragm being exposed to chamber pressure, the other side of said diaphragm being exposed to the pressure of a surv rounding duid medium; a normally closed exhalation valve carried by and positioned in the approximate center of area of said diaphragm; a breathable gas inlet valve positioned in said chamber; and lever means operably connecting said diaphragm and said inlet valve whereby said inlet valve will be opened in response to an inhalation produced reduction in chamber pressure below the pressure of said iluid medium.

5. A breathable gas regulating apparatus comprising: a body having a chamber; a respiration responsive daphragm forming a movable wall for said chamber; anv inlet to said chamber for a compressed breathable gas, one side of said diaphragm being exposed to the pressure of said gas in said chamber, the other side of said diaphragm being exposed to the pressure of an arn` bient uid medium; a passage from said chamber for delivery of said gas to a point of use and for return-` of exhalation products to said chamber; an inlet valve positioned in said chamber and normally occluding said chamber inlet, said inlet valve being operably associated with said diaphragm and adapted to be opened in response to an inhalation produced reduction in pressureT in said chamber; and a normally closed exhalation valve carried by said diaphragm.

6. A breathable gas regulating apparatus comprising: a body having a chamber and a respiration responsive diaphragm forming a movable wall for said chamber; an inlet to said chamber for a compressed breathable gas, one side of said diaphragm being exposed to the. pressure of said gas in said chamber, the other side of. said diaphagm being exposed to the pressure of an ambient fluid medium, a passage from said chamber for delivery of said gas to a point of use and for return of exhalation products to said chamber; an inlet valve positioned in said chamber and normally occluding said chamber inlet, said inlet valve being operably associated with said diaphragm and adapted to be opened in response to an inhalation produced reduction in pressure in said chamber; a normally closed exhalation valve carried by said diaphragm; and means to limit movement of said diaphragm away from said chamber.

7. A breathable gas regulating apparatus comprising:

a body having a chamber and a respiration responsive diaphragm forming a movable wall for said chamber; an inlet to said chamber for a compressed breathable gas,

one side of said diaphragm being exposed to the presin said chamber and normally occluding said chamber inlet, said inlet valve being operably associated with said diaphragm and adapted to be opened in response to an.;

inhalation producedi` reduction iii-.pressurein said` chamber; a port through said diaphragm= adjacent the center of.` area` thereof; andaflexible exhalation valve: member carried by saidl diaphragm and. positioned toA normally occlude said port, thereby permitting flowonly outwardly fromsaid chamber.

8. A breathable gas` regulating apparatus comprlsmg: a bodyhaving a chamber 4and arrespiration responsive dlaphragm` forming a. movable wall for.` saidi chamber; an inlet toisaid chambery for a compressed breathable gas, one side of saiddiaphragm being'exposed to the pressure of saidgas in said chamber, the other side of said diaphragm being exposed? to the pressure of an ambient fluid'medium; a passagefrom said-chamber fordelivery of`said gas toa point of.` use andfor returnof exhalation` products. to` said chamber; an inlet valvel positioned `in said chamber and normally occluding said chamber inlet, said inletvalvebeing operably associated withr said diaphragm and adapted to-be opened in response to an inhalation produced reduction in pressure inlsaidchamber; aport.` through saiddiaphragm adjacent the center of area thereof; a flexible exhalation valve member carried by said diaphragm and positioned to normally occlude said port thereby permitting ow only outwardly from said chamber; andimeans to limitmovement of said diaphragm away from said` chamber.

9. In a submarine breathing apparatus: a single chamber adapted tothe positioned in` a single conduit, said conduit being` connected with a supply of breathable gas under pressure and with the breathing system of a person being served; a respiration responsive flexible diaphragm forming aimovable wall of said chamber, said diaphragm being centrallytprovided` with a normally closed exhalation valve to'permit` fluid flow only outwardly from said.chamber; saididiaphragm and said exhalation valve beingA exposed on-one side to the pressure of a surrounding fluid-medium and on the other side to the pressure of the gas in said chamber; an inlet valve member within said chamber adapted to control the delivery ofy said gas thereto; and actuating fingers` movable by` saidtdiaphragm to .operatesaidinlet valve memger in response to variations in pressure in said cham- 10. In a submarine breathing apparatus: a single chamber adapted to be positioned in a single conduit, said conduit being connected with a supply of breathable gas under pressure and with the breathing system of a person being served; a respiration responsive flexible diaphragm forming a movable wall of said chamber, said diaphragm being centrally provided with a normally closed exhalation valve to permit fluid ow only outwardly from said chamber; said diaphragm and said exhalation valve being exposed on one side to the pressure of a surrounding fluid medium and on the other side to the pressure of the gas in said chamber; an inlet valve member within said chamber adapted to control the delivery of said gas thereto; actuating fingers movable by said diaphragm to operate said inlet valve member in response to variations in pressure in said charnber; and means engaging said exhalation valve to limit outward movement of said diaphragm.

ll. A breathable gas demand regulator comprising in combination: a body and a cap; a respiration responsive movable diaphragm secured between said body and said cap, one side of said diaphragm being exposed to a surrounding fluid medium admitted through said cap, the other side of said diaphragm being exposed to the pressure of said breathable gas within a chamber formed in said body; a passage from said chamber for delivery of said gas to a point of use and for return of exhalation products to said chamber; a normally closed exhalation valve carried by and positioned in substantially the center of area of said diaphragm, fluid flow therethrough being permitted only outwardly from said chamber; a stop within said cap and engageable by said exhalation valve to limit movement of said diaphragm toward said cap; an inlet valve positioned to occlude an orifice, said orifice providing restricted inlet for the admittance of said breathable gas into said chamber, said inlet valve extending into said chamber, normally urged in a closing direction and having an enlarged head thereon; a raised rim spaced from and surrounding said enlarged Valve head; and a plurality of arms engageable with one side of said diaphragm, pivoted on said rim and extended under said enlarged valve head, movement of said diaphragm toward said-chamber being, adaptedv to `open said-valvei land permit: said breathable gas to flow intosaid-chaml2. A breathable gas demand regulatorY comprisingsin combination:` a body and a cap; a respirationresponsive` movable diaphragm secured between saidbody and-said cap, oneside of said diaphragmbeing exposed to-asurrounding fluid medium admitted through said cap; the other side of saiddiaphragm being. exposed to thepressure of said` breathable gas` within a chamber` formed in said body; a passage fromsaid chamberV for delivery of said gas to a point of use and for return of exhalation productsto saidtchamber; a plurality of-ports through said diaphragm` adjacent the center of area thereof; a`

said valve to limit movement. of said diaphragm to-` ward said cap; restricted inlet valve positioned-to occlude an orifice, said orifice providing an inlet for the admittance of said breathable gas into said chamber, said inlet valve extending into said chamber, normallyA being urged in a closing direction and having an enlargedhead thereon; astationary raised rim spaced from and surrounding said enlarged valve head; and a` pluralityl of arms engageable with one side of said diaphragmA adjacent the outer periphery thereof, pivoted on said` rim and extended under said enlarged valve head, movement of said diaphragm toward said chamber being adapted to open said valve and permit said breathable gas to flow into said` chamber. j

13. A breathable gas` regulating apparatus comprising: a.source of breathable gas; passage means for conducting said gas from said source to a point of use; a valve forV controlling the flow of said breathable gas through said passage means; a respiration responsive diaphragm, said diaphragm being exposed on one side to the pressure of a surrounding fluid` medium and on the other side to the pressure of vsaid gas existing atl said point of use;` springmeans normally urgingsaidtvalve toward a closed position; a plurality of spaced arms engageable with said diaphragm adjacent the periphery thereof and extending to said valve; means for operably connecting said arms with said valve whereby, upon movement of said diaphragm by an inhalation produced reduction in pressure adjacent said other side thereof, said valve will be opened to permit flow of said breathable gas through said passage means to said point of use; and a normally closed exhalation valve carried by said diaphragm and adapted to be opened in response to an exhalation produced rise in pressure adjacent said other side of said diaphragm.

14. A breathable gas regulating apparatus comprising: a source of breathable gas; passage means for conducting said gas from said source to a point of use; an orifice in said passage means; a valve adapted to cooperate with said orifice for controlling the flow of said breathable gas through said passage means; a respiration responsive diaphragm, said diaphragm being exposed on one side to the pressure of a surrounding fluid medium and on the other side to the pressure of said gas existing at said point of use; spring means normally urging said valve toward a closed position; a plurality of spaced arms engageable with said diaphragm adjacent the periphery thereof and extending to said valve; an enlarged head on said valve; a stationary raised rim spaced from and surrounding said enlarged head, said spaced arms being pivoted on said rim and extending under said enlarged head whereby, upon movement of said diaphragm by an inhalation produced reduction in pressure adjacent said other side thereof, said valve Will be opened to permit flow of said breathable gas through said passage means to said point of use; and a normally closed exhalation valve carried by said diaphgram and adapted to be opened in response to an exhalation produced rise in pressure adjacent said other side of said diaphragm.

15. A breathable gas regulating apparatus comprising: a source of breathable gas; passage means for conducting said gas from said source to a point of use; a valve for controlling the ow of said breathable gas through said passage means; a respiration responsive diaphragm, said diaphragm being exposed on one side to the pressure of a surrounding fluid medium and on the other side to the pressure of said gas existing at said point of use; spring means normally urging said valve toward a closed position; three eqully spaced arms engageable with said diaphragm adjacent the periphery thereof and extending to said valve; an enlarged head on said valve; a stationary raised rim spaced from and surrounding said enlarged head, said spaced arms being pivoted on said raised rim and extending under said enlarged head whereby, upon movement of said diaphragm by an inhalation produced reduction in pressure adjacent said other side thereof, said valve will be opened to permit ow of said breathable gas through said passage means to said point of use; and a normally closed exhalation valve carried by said diaphragm and adapted to be opened in response to an exhalation produced rise in pressure adjacent said other side of said diaphragm.

16. A breathable gas regulating apparatus comprising: a source of breathable gas; passage means for conducting said gas from said source to a point of use; a valve for controlling the llow of said breathable gas through said passage means; a respiration responsive diaphragm, said diaphragm being exposed on one side to the pressure of a surrounding uid medium and on the other side to the pressure of said gas existing at said point of use; spring means normally urging said valve toward a closed position; three equally spaced arms engageable with said diaphragm adjacent the periphery thereof and extending to said valve; an enlarged head on said Valve; a stationary raised rim spaced from and surrounding said enlarged head; bent back portions formed on ends of said spaced arms, said spaced arms being pivoted on said raised rim with said bent back portions extending under said enlarged head whereby, upon movement of said diaphragm by an inhalation produced reduction in pressure adjacent said other side thereof, said valve will be opened to permit ow of said breathable gas through said passage means to said point of use; and a normally closed exhalation valve carried by said diaphragm and adapted to be opened in response to an exhalation produced rise in pressure adjacent said other side of said diaphragm.

17. A breathable gas regulating apparatus comprising:

a Vsource of breathable gas; passage means for conduct` diaphragm adjacent the periphery thereof and extending to said valve; an enlarged head on said valve; a stationary raised rim spaced from and surrounding said enlarged head; a plurality of notches in said raised rim; bent back portions formed on ends of said spaced arms, said spaced arms being pivoted in said notches on said raised rim with said bent back portions extending under said enlarged head and engaging an inside wall of said raised rim to prevent radial displacement of said arms whereby, upon movement of said diaphragm by an inhalation produced reduction in pressure adjacent said other side thereof, said valve will be opened to permit flow of said breathable gas through said passage means to said point of use;

and a normally closed exhalation valve carried by said diaphragm and adapted to be opened in response to an inhalation produced rise in pressure adjacent said other side of said diaphragm.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

